formation, comprising about 160 acres. It belongs to F. R. West, Esq.,
M.P., and the minerals upon it are leased to the “_Carreg Hova Copper and
Lead Mining Company_.” The limestone rocks, part of which are 900 feet
in height, are worked by another Company, and large quantities of fine
limestone are annually raised and sold, principally for agricultural
purposes, in Shropshire and Montgomeryshire. The ores raised from the
hill are carbonates, sulphurets, and oxides of copper, carbonate of lead,
and calamine (carbonate of zinc). On the north-west side of the hill are
the remains of ancient surface mines, supposed to have been of Roman
origin, and from vitrifications near this spot, there is no doubt that
the Roman miners smelted their copper there in jars on open hearths.
Near these old workings is an immense cave or level, known in the
district by the name of the _Ogo_, from the Welsh _Ogof_—(a cave). Its
windings are so numerous and intricate, that many years back the
labourers, attempting to explore its mazes, were bewildered in the
effort, and a number of miners, who had been sent in search of them,
discovered them lying prostrate on the ground, in despair of ever again
seeing the light of day. Skeletons, various utensils, and coins of
Constantine and Vespasian, Antoninus and Faustina, have been found within
and about the _Ogo_. One of these skeletons had a battle-axe by its
side, and a bracelet of glass beads, like the druidical rings or beads
called _glain neidr_, (the _ova anguinum_ of Pliny,) and another with a
golden bracelet encircling the wrist. In 1849 two other skeletons were
found buried in trenches near the _Ogo_, by the side of one of which lay
a strong battle-axe, formed of mixed metal, but sharp at the edge. These
skeletons were of a very large size, the bones evidently being those of
remarkably tall men. The late Mr. J. F. M. Dovaston explored the _Ogo_
several years ago, and declared that none of the paths extend more than
two hundred yards from the entrance. Great quantities of human bones
were found in many parts, especially where the cavern becomes wide and
lofty, and this fact induced the belief that the place, at some early
period, was a refuge in battle or a depository for the dead. For years
it was commonly believed in the district that this labyrinth communicated
by subterraneous paths with Carreg-Hofa Castle; and some persons have
exercised their imagination so largely as to declare that, while in the
far recesses of the cave, they have heard the rivers Vyrnwy and Tanat
rolling over their heads, and that the said labyrinth actually leads down
to fairy-land!
On the eastern brow of the hill there formerly stood a Cromlech,
measuring seven feet by six, and eighteen inches thick. It was called by
the Welsh people “_Bedd-y-Cawr_,” or the _Giant’s Grave_; and under it,
according to tradition, a giant’s wife was buried, with a golden torques
about her neck. To search for this treasure three brothers named Paine,
who lived in the neighbourhood some years ago, threw down the stone from
its pedestal.
The prospect from Llanymynech Hill is indisputably one of the finest in
the kingdom. On the Welsh side are seen the summits of mountains, rising
in every variety of ridge, the distant in the softest azure, and the
nearer in the most brilliant verdure, with hanging woods, fertile
meadows, and the brightly-shining rivers, Vyrnwy and Tanat, uniting in
the valley below, and sweeping their sunny waters to join the Severn,
under the abrupt and bold rocks of the Breiddin range of mountains. At a
considerable distance, when enlightened by the sun, may be seen the
glistening water-fall of Pistill Rhaiadr. Turning towards England the
expansive Vale of Shropshire is seen richly wooded, and profuse in
luxurious vegetation, terminated by the column and spires of Shrewsbury,
the Wrekin, and the far distant hills of Staffordshire and Cheshire. In
a northerly direction the Shropshire Union Canal is seen glitteringly
interlacing the rich meadow land; the graceful lake at Llynclis peeps out
amidst over-shading trees; and the ancient tower of Oswestry parish
church completes the diversified and enchanting series of landscapes. We
lately heard a visitor from Switzerland, just arrived at Llanymynech Hill
from that far-famed picturesque country, declare that he had seen nothing
in the land of William Tell to compare with the beauty and grandeur of
the scene before him. Enraptured with the prospects, he enthusiastically
exclaimed, as the celebrated Lord Lyttleton had done on viewing Festiniog
Vale, “With the woman one loves, with the friend of one’s heart, and a
good library of books, one might pass an age here, and think it a day!”
To the south-west lies Carreg Hofa Hall, formerly the pleasant retreat of
Sir Thomas Jones, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and representative
for Shrewsbury in 1660. It came into the possession of Sir J. T.
Tyrwhitt Jones, Bart., Usher of the Black Rod, and father of the first
wife of the late John Mytton, Esq., of Halston. Further in the same
direction is Pentre Heilyn, the seat of the Heilyn family, some members
of which occupy a distinguished place in Cambrian biography. Below the
western brow of the hill is Aber Tanat, formerly the seat of the Tanats,
or Tanads, descended from Einion, who took their name from the river
Tanat, near their house, for the same reason as the Mostyns, the Glynnes,
&c., to avoid the redundancy of _Aps_. Blodwel, a little farther north,
was the graceful theme of bards and minstrels when Welsh song and music
went joyously hand in hand. Llwyn-y-groes, formerly the seat of the late
John Evans, M.D., (but now of Richard Nightingale Broughton, Esq.,)
viewed also from the hill, claims special notice. Dr. Evans was popular
in the literary world, and his didactic poem, “_The Bee_,” enriched with
instructive notes, philosophical and botanical, is still read with
delight. Dr. Evans was father of the author of “_The Rectory of
Valehead_,” a work which obtained public favour, and still holds its
place as a literary production of high merit. The late Mr. Robert Baugh,
of Llanymynech, was another distinguished parishioner. He officiated for
many years as clerk of the parish, but his talents as a land surveyor and
draughtsman procured for him a high reputation. His large map of
Shropshire, a work honourable to his talents, is still referred to for
its accuracy.
The identification of the Roman encampment at _Clawdd Coch_, in the
parish of Llanymynech, with the ancient _Mediolanum_, is still a
disputable point. A learned antiquary, the Rev. R. W. Evans, Vicar of
Heversham (son of the late Dr. Evans), considers that such identification
is clearly established; and the late Rev. Peter Roberts, who had viewed
the place, “would fain insist, in conversation, that it was the identical
spot where Mediolanum once quartered the legions of ambitious Rome.” The
late Rev. Walter Davies, no mean authority on questions of antiquity,
paid much attention to the subject, and after personal inspection of
Clawdd Coch, came to the conclusion that Mediolanum is still among the
_terræ incognitæ_.
The following is the estimated extent, gross rental, and rateable value
of this parish:—
Estimated extent. Gross rental. Rateable value.
Townships of A. R. P. £ S. D. £ S. D.
Llwyntidman, County of 1052 3 29 2227 4 10 2227 4 10
Salop.
Treprenal, County of 227 2 16 309 16 0 309 16 0
Salop.
Carreghofa, County of 1221 3 8 2224 15 6 1968 6 6
Denbigh, now annexed to
Montgomery.
Total 2502 1 23 4761 16 4 4505 7 4
LLANFORDA,
The residence of the Right Hon. Sir Henry Watkin Williams Wynn, K.C.B.
and G.C.H., is situated one mile and a half west of Oswestry. The
original estate was part of the possession of Einion Evell, Lord of
Cynllaeth and Mochnant, from whom it descended, together with
Llwyn-y-Maen, to Ievan Vychan, constable of Knockin, whose heiress,
Agnes, carried it into the family of the Lloyds, by her marriage with
Maurice Lloyd, of whom the Welsh records give the following account:—
“The said Maurice Lloyd ab Bleddyn Lloyd, finding himself much
oppressed by the English Laws, did kill one of the judges and hanged
divers other officers on oak trees in Uch-dûlas, upon whose
conviction his lands and inheritance in Denbigh-land were escheated
to the Crown, and so still remains for most part to this day, and
known by the name of the said Maurice Lloyd; and he for his safeguard
withdrew himself to the sanctuary of Halston, in the county of Salop,
and there betook himself to the protection of John Fitz-Alan, Lord of
Oswestry and Clunne, and after Earl of Arundel. By the said Earl’s
commission he levied a great number of soldiers out of the said
Earl’s Lordships and Hundreds in the marches of Wales, and made the
said Maurice Lloyd Captain over them, and the said Earl of Arundel
being then General of the English forces, the King of England sent
them to assist the Emperor in the Holy Warre against the Turke, in
which service, at the scaling of, and entering, the breach at the
siege of Acon, the Emperor’s colours were taken by the enemies, and
recovered back by the said Maurice Lloyd, and brought again by him to
the Emperor, in reward of whose valour and faithful service therein
the Emperor gave him the coat of the house of Austria, only changing
the field for his first coat in his achievements before the parental
coat of Hedd Moelwynog.”
The bearing thus acquired, and constantly used by his descendants, was
the imperial eagle in a field sable. From Maurice Lloyd the Llanforda
property descended to Richard Lloyd, who, dying in 1508, divided the
estate, and left Llanforda to his eldest son John, and Llwyn-y-maen to
his second son Edward. Llanforda eventually passed from the hands of
this family, Edward Lloyd, a man of dissolute character, having sold it
to the first Sir William Williams, Speaker of the House of Commons in the
two last Parliaments of Charles II., about the year 1685, in whose
posterity (the Wynnstay family) it has since continued. The Edward Lloyd
just mentioned was father, as we have stated in our Biographical notices,
of the celebrated scholar and antiquary, Edward Llwyd. There was
formerly a church at Llanforda, but it was suppressed by Rynerus, Bishop
of St. Asaph. The river Morda passes close to the estate.
Sir Henry Wynn is a Privy Councillor, and for twenty-five years filled
the important office of Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court at
Copenhagen. He is also a magistrate for the county of Salop.
LLANSILIN
Is situated in the county of Denbigh, but the parish being on the
confines of Salop, and near to Oswestry, a brief notice here will not be
inappropriate. The parish has numerous historical associations. It was
the birthplace of Morris Kyffin, the learned translator into Welsh of
Bishop Jewell’s Apology; of Charles Edwards, the pious author of
“_Hanes-y-Fydd_,” a history of Christianity; of John Davies, author of
“Heraldry Displayed;” and of Hugh Morris, the eminent Welsh poet and
song-writer. Glasgoed, a seat of the Kyffins (the last heiress of which
married Sir William Williams, Speaker of the House of Commons), is now
the property of Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart.; and Plasnewydd, an ancient and
pleasant residence, once the property of the Chirk Castle family, belongs
to Thomas Hughes, Esq., who resides there. The late Rev. Walter Davies
contends, in his historical notice of Llansilin, that Owen Glyndwr “was
an inhabitant at least, if not a native of this parish.” Pennant makes
Sycharth, situated in the valley of the Dee, about three miles below
Corwen, as the mansion of Owen, whilst Mr. Davies fixes the Sycharth, in
the parish of Llansilin, as another of Owen’s houses. He says, “in the
year 1792 I had the curiosity to visit this spot (Sycharth) in
Glyndyfrdwy, and also another place called, and universally known by the
name of Sycharth, in this parish of Llansilin; and when I returned to Mr.
Pennant’s volume, I entered in the margin, opposite the name
Sycharth,—‘Sycharth, the seat of Owain Glyndwr, described by Iolo Goch,
in his Invitation Poem, is in the parish of Llansilin, about twelve miles
to the south by east of Glyndyfrdwy.’” Mr. Davies adds, “As Owain was
baron of two townships, no one will deny his having a seat in each; one
on the Dee in Glyndyfrdwy, the other on the Cynllaeth, in this
(Llansilin) parish.”—In the church there is a fine monument of the first
Sir William Williams, Speaker of the House of Commons.—The present Vicar
is the Rev. Walter Jones.—The Poor-rate return for the present year
(1855,) gives the acreage at 13,000; gross rental, £11,880 13s. 10d.;
rateable value assessed to the relief of the poor, £1,070 16s. 2d.
LLANYBLODWEL,
Although now included in the county of Salop, is nevertheless on the
borders of Montgomeryshire, and is in the diocese of St. Asaph. It is a
rectory (_cum cap. Morton_), dedicated to St. Michael, and is valued in
the King’s books at £39 5s. Patron, the Bishop of St. Asaph. It is
situated six miles from Oswestry, on the east side of the river, below
Abercynllaeth, and above Aber-tanat. In Domesday Book it is called
_Bodowan-ham_, and in an old deed of the Fitz-Alans _Blodwel_ (dated in
the time of Henry 6th,) _Vawre Villata_, which means “the village of
Great Blodwel.” Welsh etymologists contend that the name of the place is
derived from _Blodau_, a flower, the spring there being very early;
whilst other writers say that the name originated in the Saxon “blood”
and “wold,” in consequence of the bloody and inhuman battle fought there
between the Mercians and the Cymry (or Welsh). In this parish is
Blodwel-Hall, the deserted seat of the Tanats, descended from Einion.
The heiress of the house, Jane, married John Matthews, of Court, and the
heiress of the Matthewses, Ursula, married Sir John Bridgman, grandson to
the Lord-Keeper, Sir Orlando, and ancestor to the present Earl of
Bradford, who inherits the estate. The rector of the parish is the Rev.
John Parker, son of the late Thomas Netherton Parker, Esq., of Sweeney
Hall, near Oswestry, and distinguished for his taste in ecclesiastical
architecture and decorations.
PARK HALL,
In the parish of Whittington, the residence of Richard Henry Kinchant,
Esq., is situated a little more than a mile east from Oswestry, and about
the same distance from Whittington. It is one of those ancient timber
mansions, few of which are now remaining in England, perhaps none in so
perfect a state of preservation, and exhibits a fine specimen of the
domestic architecture of bye-gone days. The estate on which it stands
formed a portion, in ages past, of the once extensive and densely-wooded
park appertaining to Whittington Castle, when that ancient stronghold
could boast as its possessors in succession the powerful baronial
families of Tudor Trevor, Peverel, Gwarine de Metz, and Fitz-Alan.
[Picture: Park Hall]
In those somewhat rare and beautifully-delineated maps of English
counties, by Saxton, published in 1577, it is styled “_The Park Hall_.”
This very singular and time-honoured structure is presumed to have been
built in the reign of Queen Mary (1553–8), by Robert ap Howell, otherwise
Robert Powell, the first of that name seated at Park, son of Howel ap
Griffith, of Oswestry, descended from a younger son of Ievan Vychan, of
Abertanat, a junior branch of the royal line of Powys. It remained in
this family until the death of Thomas Powell, High Sheriff in 1717; his
line terminated in an heiress, Jane Powell, who sold the estate to Sir
Francis Charlton, Bart., of Ludford, in the county of Hereford.
Subsequently this property and that of Blundel Hall, near Bishop’s
Castle, became vested in the Kinchant family, by the marriage of John
Quinchant (as the name was then spelt), of Stone House, near Ludlow,
Shropshire, a Captain in the 32nd Regiment of Infantry, with Emma
Charlton, daughter of the before-mentioned Sir Francis Charlton. By this
marriage the present possessor of Park derives his pedigree from the
Princes of Powys-land.
The house is 126 feet in length, the façade presenting numerous pointed
gables, terminating in pinnacles. The entrance to the Hall is through a
porch, and over the original oak door, which is of considerable
thickness, and studded with large square-headed nails, is the following
inscription, carved on stone, the letters in bold relief:—“Quod tibi
fieri non vis alteri ne feceris.” The chimnies, of solid brick-work, are
quadrangular, a small space intervening between each, and crowned with a
heavy mass of masonry uniting them together, and so placed as to present
an angle to each of the cardinal points: thus formed they have resisted
the tempests of three centuries. The hall is wainscoated, and is 33ft.
long by 23ft. wide: it contains several old family portraits of the
Charlton and Kinchant families. There is an oak table in it, cut from
one plank, resting on massive turned pillars; the length is 23ft. by 4ft.
in width, and 2½ inches thick: at one end is carved the date—1581. Over
a door in the hall, leading to the great staircase, the arms of Powell,
Needham, and Corbet, are painted in separate panels, of a deeply-recessed
oak moulding. Thomas Powell, of Park Hall, who died in 1588, married
Mary, daughter of Sir Robert Corbet, Knight, of Moreton Corbet, and his
son, Robert Powell, married Anne, daughter of Robert Needham, Esq., of
Shavington, sister of the first Viscount Kilmorrey. The large
dining-room is beautifully wainscoated in diamond-shaped panels, and the
mantel-piece is a noble specimen of rich oak carving. It bears the date
1640, with this motto carved on a scroll:—“_Nec vi nec vento_.” A
Colonel Jones, of Shropshire, engaged with Cromwell’s army, bore this
motto on his banner, yet it does not appear that he ever resided at Park,
or was connected with the Powell family. The ceiling is a fine example
of plaster-work, and, as there appears no date upon it, is probably
coeval with the house. It is ornamented with figures of birds, horses,
and stags, and the central compartment has a representation in bold
relief, of Neptune and his attendant Tritons. The great staircase,
leading to the drawing-room, long gallery, and bedrooms, is a good
specimen of the style of the 16th century; the balustrade of massive oak,
the strong upright pillars, having pointed finials, are carved with a T
like ornament, such as is of common occurrence on the ancient stone
crosses of Wales. Underneath the window, on the first landing-place, is
carved this sentence:—“Accurate cogita immutabilia.” Here are also two
fine paintings, the one by Holbein, representing the great reformers,
Luther, Wyckliffe, Melancthon, and others, seated round a table; the
other painting a boar hunt, after Schneider. The upper rooms are all
wainscoated, and abound in elaborately-carved old oak furniture, some
bearing dates early in the 17th century. The gallery, extending nearly
the entire length of the house, is hung with several old family
portraits. There is a beautiful little chapel abutting on the west wing
of the house; the windows are stained glass, the interior is wainscoated,
and the whole arched over with oak panelling; over the entrance is carved
on stone these words:—“Petra et ostium Christus est.” There is a gallery
to the chapel, approached by a door from the drawing-room. On the south
side of the garden is a terrace of considerable length, and in the centre
stands a remarkable sun-dial, in stone, bearing several Latin
inscriptions, alluding to the rapid flight of time: on the pediment is
the date 1578. All the letters and figures on this stone, and all that
are found in various parts round the house, are carved in relief. This
dial fronts the south, and has no less than seven complete dials on it.
On the terrace are likewise the fragments of several large stones and
dials, bearing inscriptions in Latin.
In the List of the High Sheriffs of Shropshire will be found the
following names, owners of Park Hall:—
Robert Powell 1647
Thomas Powell 1717
Job Charlton 1748
John Charlton Kinchant 1775
Richard Henry Kinchant 1846
PORKINGTON,
Situated about a mile from Oswestry, to the right of the road leading to
the race-course, is the seat of William Ormsby Gore, Esquire, M.P. for
North Shropshire. This delightful estate is associated with some of the
most interesting incidents in the history of North Wales, and has for
years been viewed as one of the great land-marks of the chequered history
of the Welsh border. It derives its name from “Castell Brogyntyn,” a
fortress of the celebrated Owen Brogyntyn, a natural son of Madog ab
Meredydd ab Bleddyn, Prince of half of Powys, and who, as a gift from his
father, enjoyed the title of Lord of Edeirnion and Dinmael. He
flourished in the latter part of the twelfth century. The site of the
ancient fort still remains in the shrubberies of Porkington, the moat
filled up serving as a gravel walk, surrounded by plantations. Owen
resided at Brogyntyn, whence he assumed his surname. According to a
drawing in the Mytton collection, the fort was of a circular form,
surrounded by a large earthen dyke and a deep foss, that had two
entrances close to each other, projecting a little from the sides, and
diverging, the end of each being guarded by a semi-lunar curtain. The
name of the fortress and house (for Owen Brogyntyn resided there) was
soon altered into one closely resembling the present, as we find that in
1218 Henry III., in an address to Llywelyn, Prince of Wales, informs him
that, among others, “Bleddyn Filius _Oeni de Porkinton_” had performed
the service he owed to the English Crown. The house was formerly known
also by the name of “_Constables’ Hall_.” The precise date of the change
of name cannot be ascertained.
[Picture: Porkington]
Porkington is also historically connected with the distinguished royalist
Sir John Owen, of Cleneney, Caernarvonshire, a man whose history reveals
unshaken fidelity to the unfortunate Charles I., and a courage undaunted
amidst the most trying reverses. A short biography of this eminent man
will not be deemed out of place in these pages. Sir John Owen was the
eldest son of John Owen, Esq. of Cleneney, and was born in 1600. His
father had been secretary to the great Walsingham, and had amassed in his
service a fortune of £10,000, a large sum in those days. He married
Ellen Maurice, the heiress of Cleneney and Porkington, about 1597. Their
son John entered the army, and soon distinguished himself. At the siege
of Bristol he greatly signalized himself, and was severely wounded in
that engagement. Throughout indeed the wars against the Common Wealth he
proved himself a faithful and valiant commander on behalf of the king.
At the famous battle of Llandegai, near Bangor, Caernarvonshire, fortune
declared against him, and he was taken prisoner. This victory was
considered by the Cromwell party of so much importance that Captain
Taylor, who communicated the intelligence to Parliament, was rewarded
with £200 from Sir John’s estate. He was conveyed to Windsor Castle,
where he found incarcerated four of his gallant compatriots, namely, the
Duke of Hamilton, the Earl of Holland, and Lords Goring and Capel. All
these prisoners were put upon trial, and Sir John Owen maintained a firm
and heroic spirit during the enquiry that eventually saved his life. On
being asked by the Court for his defence, he said “he was a plain
gentleman of Wales who had always been taught to obey the king; that he
had served him honestly during the war; and finding many honest subjects
endeavouring to raise forces whereby they might get him out of prison, he
did the like.” He was condemned to lose his head, and at the conclusion
of the sentence he bowed to the Court and gave his humble thanks. A
bye-stander, marking his intrepid conduct, asked him what he meant, when
Sir John replied—“It was a great honor to a poor gentleman of Wales to
lose his head with such noble lords, for he was afraid they would have
hanged him.” Strong remonstrances were made in Parliament on behalf of
the duke and noble lords, but, finding no one speak in favour of Sir John
Owen, Ireton rose as his advocate, and told the house “there was one
person for whom no one spoke a word, and therefore he requested that he
might be saved by the sole motive and goodness of the house.” Ireton’s
appeal was effectual, and Sir John was pardoned after a few months’
imprisonment, and permitted to return to his native country. He died in
1666, and was buried in Penmorfa Church, Caernarvonshire, where a
monument is erected to his memory. The estates of Sir John Owen are
possessed by his lineal descendant, Mrs. Ormsby Gore, and many
interesting relics of the gallant knight are preserved at Porkington.
Among these are his official seal as Vice Admiral of North Wales, and a
sword given him by Lord Capel with the following inscription:—“Lord
Capel, the day before his execution, presented this sword to Sir John
Owen, by whom, he said, he was convinced it would be worn with honour.”
His portrait is also preserved at Porkington, from which the engraving,
in Pennant’s quarto edition of his tours, was made.
Porkington is chiefly indebted to the wife of Mr. Ormsby Gore (daughter
and heiress of Owen Ormsby, Esq., who married the daughter of William
Owen, Esq., and Mary Godolphin), for its present beautiful appearance.
The mansion having been built at three several periods presented a
confused mass, until the alterations made by Miss Ormsby conferred on it
a correct Grecian elevation. The present worthy owner assumed on his
marriage the name of Ormsby, prefixed to his own, and has added largely
to the demesne, and to the well-timbered and romantic appearance of the
hills which environ the rear of the building, the sight from the
north-east and south giving extensive views over the counties of Denbigh,
Chester, and Salop.